Miandad to assist Pak batsmen in T20I cup

Former Pakistan batsman and the present director-general cricket in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Javed Miandad has been asked to assist the batsmen in the upcoming T20I World Championships.

Miandad has confirmed to PTI that he will be traveling to Sri Lanka to join the national squad but dismissed speculations that he will be the batting coach of the team.

"I am not going there as a batting coach. I was told by the board chairman to go to Sri Lanka and have sessions with the players ahead of the World Cup. I don`t think during such a major tournament you can coach any player or change his batting technique," Miandad said.

"A batting coach can only work properly with the players on their batting issues when the team is not involved in any assignment or tournament. It is not possible to do this during a major event," Miandad said.

"My main priority is to have pep talks with the players, to raise their spirits and confidence and work out with the batsmen in the nets, advise them on batting issues keeping in mind the requirements of the World Cup and conditions in Sri Lanka," Miandad added.

Miandad, a legend of Pakistan cricket has recently being vested with a lot of powers and responsibility and is currently heading a committee with regards to looking after all the cricket related matters of the board, including issues concerning the national team.

The committee recently conducted a detailed investigation over the poor performance of the team in the U-19 WC. Pakistan finished 8th in the biennial extravaganza. The players were later given a clean chit after Miandad agreed that the loss to arch rivals India was the main reason for their later slump.

Miandad, who has played 124 Tests for Pakistan and has also been the coach of the national team thrice has said that Pakistan stood a good chance in the T20 cup.

"We all want the Pakistan team to do well in the World Cup and if I can play a role in this, I will be the most happiest as Pakistan cricket has given me a lot," he said.